Chapter 1353
Chapter 1353:
Through a labyrinth of twisting passages, he led us, our footsteps echoing off ancient stone until we came to a halt before an elaborate garden feature crafted from carefully arranged rocks and minerals. With practiced movements, Antoni triggered some concealed switch, and as the massive stone barrier groaned open on rusted hinges, two imposing guards materialized from the shadows to obstruct our passage.
“Mr. Harrison? What urgent business draws you to these depths at such an ungodly hour?”
The first guard’s voice carried both respect and suspicion in equal measure. The telltale knot in Antoni’s throat danced frantically as fear seized control of his vocal cords.
Without sound or warning, I drove my blade forward until its icy point pierced the fabric of his shirt and kissed the tender skin beneath with promises of deeper pain.
Every muscle in his frame went rigid as bowstring wire before he summoned the strength to speak with manufactured composure. “Prince Colt has decided to conduct Makenna’s interrogation himself and has commanded me to produce her without delay.”
Deep furrows appeared between the guards’ brows as their calculating gazes swept over my unfamiliar presence. “What about your mysterious companion?”
Antoni’s respiration became shallow and rapid while his muscles coiled like springs beneath the pressure of my controlling touch. A single droplet of perspiration traced a path down the length of his backbone.
When I increased the blade’s penetration by another dangerous degree, his words tumbled out in broken fragments. “H-He represents my latest acquisition—exceptionally talented in warfare, which is why I deemed his presence necessary…”
A meaningful glance passed between the two sentries, their skepticism written plainly across their weathered features. However, their reluctance to question Antoni’s authority ultimately won out, and they moved aside with obvious hesitation.
With deliberate force, I propelled Antoni ahead of us, compelling him to serve as our guide into the bowels of this underground prison.
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Damp, cold air struck us. Torches mounted in iron sconces threw writhing, nightmarish silhouettes that danced across the rough-hewn walls like demons celebrating our descent.
Where the passage finally surrendered its grip, the tunnel expanded into a broader chamber.
A pair of cells constructed from thick iron bars waited in the gloom, positioned like twin monuments to suffering.
Within the left cell, Clayton’s powerful frame had collapsed against the cold stone, his distinctive silver locks hanging in tangled disarray while his eyes remained sealed in either sleep or unconsciousness.
And there, imprisoned within the right cell—my beloved Makenna!
She had drawn herself into a protective ball in the farthest corner, her magnificent hair spilling across her shoulders in messy waves.
The echo of our approaching boots caused her to snap her head upward with startled alertness. Despite the poor illumination that surrounded us, those eyes I had memorized in dreams still shimmered with the brilliance of stars glimpsed through storm clouds.
The miracle I had barely dared to hope for—she had survived!
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